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Rajasthan is my favourite state in all of India and I like to feel like I know my way around now. I’ve visited Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Udaipur many times but none of them compares to the breathtaking golden city that is Jaisalmer. As soon as I pulled in, I was dumbfounded and my heart stood still. It was like I’d gone back in time by a few centuries. I was in awe of the honeycombed buildings, getting lost in the ancient market streets and the plethora of colours in the sarees and turbans. The promise of adventure in the sandcastle fort and the mystery of the desert made this like something pulled straight out of a fairy tale. A lot of travellers complain about Jaisalmer being ‘too touristy’ but honestly, I didn’t care. It becomes one of my favourite cities in all of Rajasthan! It is truly something that you cannot miss in Jaisalmer(India) and this guide will help you to get the essential travel tips with some best-kept secrets too. How to get here & away Jaisalmer is the furthest tourist stop on the West side of Rajasthan near the bordering country of Pakistan, so it can be a little complicated to get here if you’re stuck for time. Daily flights with Spicejet are running to Jaisalmer since 2017 from Delhi and Jaipur. It’s worth checking skyscanner.net for options and booking well in advance to get the best deals. Having flown with Spicejet before, I can recommend them and they supposedly have the best track record for timekeeping. But, this is India, so don’t hold your breath! If you’re on the backpacking trail, the easiest way to get here is by bus from Jodhpur. Jaisalmer – Jodhpur highway is good as it’s a direct road that has barely any traffic. So, you’ll find it’s a smooth 5-hour journey without much delay. For a non-air conditioned bus, it will cost you around 250 rupees or for Air conditioning, it will be around 500 rupees. By train is also possible from Jaipur and Jodhpur, I would personally recommend cleartrip.com/paytm.com for booking tickets and for roadways(govt.) bus visit official IRCTC website. Where to stay There are some luxury options in Jaisalmer including the Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa and therefore the exquisite Suryagarh (which is on my list to remain at one day!). Also, there are some really beautiful luxury camps, like the Serai, if you were looking for a break with a difference. But, bear in mind that these luxury options may take you a little further out of the city than you would like. For example, Suryagarh is 14km away. As you’re quite remote, you’d need to get private hotel taxis unless you’ve got your own means of transport. There’s no Uber in Jaisalmer yet! I personally wanted somewhere close to the city, quiet, with a view of the fort and a Haveli which looked traditional to Jaisalmer. When doing a little research, I stumbled across the perfect match; Helsinki house! Named after the owners’ love for travelling and settling in Finland, this place is beautifully decorated with modern amenities. This place also doubles up with Zostel Hostel, so they cater for all budgets! They have a stunning open terrace rooftop that overlooks for the fort. When I wasn’t exploring the city, I used to be relaxing on their balcony taking within the views. At night, the fort lights up and it’s so romantic.